Tennessee Vols: Derek Barnett Would’ve Been Better Selection Than Myles Garrett
By Zach Ragan
Former Tennessee Vols defensive end Derek Barnett was selected 13 picks after the top overall pick, former Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett.
Potential is what NFL teams look for when they’re selecting a player in the draft, but proven success, something former Tennessee Vols defensive end Derek Barnett has enjoyed throughout his career, is probably a lot more important.
Defensive end Myles Garrett was the first player selected in the 2017 NFL Draft because of his potential. He’s freakishly athletic and certainly has the potential to be a Pro-Bowl defensive end in a relatively short amount of time.
But Barnett outproduced Garrett in college — specifically in SEC play.
And that’s exactly why I think Barnett was the better pick between the two all along, despite the former Vol’s perceived lack of athleticism.
Barnett has spent his first month in the NFL absolutely tearing up Philadelphia Eagles’ mini-camps and OTA’s.
Garrett, on the other hand, has spent most of the off-season on the sidelines, due to injury. When Garrett finally made it to the field, it wasn’t for long.
Yikes. Myles Garrett gets up limping after entanglement.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) June 14, 2017
Trying to reconstruct Myles Garrett injury ... his left foot/ankle might have given out when making touch sack of Osweiler.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) June 14, 2017
Look, I know it’s early in Garrett’s career, but there’s a good chance he’s going to be an injury prone player. And that could have a big effect on his psyche.
More from Tenn Truth
- New FanDuel + Caesars Tennessee Promos: Win $450 GUARANTEED Bonus + $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket!
- Last Chance Promos: Claim $150 Bonus AND Two Chances to Win on Tennessee Football
- FanDuel + Caesars Tennessee Promos: $150 Bonus PLUS Two Chances to Win!
- FanDuel Tennessee Promo Ending: $100 Bonus for ANY Football Bet!
- Bet $5, Win $100 GUARANTEED on ANY Game With FanDuel Tennessee Promo!
Anyone can get injured at any time, but if it becomes a recurring theme, it’s awfully hard to help your team in a positive way.
I have little doubt that a few years from now we will look back on the careers of Garrett and Barnett and be able to easily deduce that Barnett is the better professional player.
Derek Barnett is going to have a better pro career than Myles Garrett. Favorite this and @ me in a couple of years
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) March 31, 2017
And I invite you to hold me to what some of you might consider a “hot take”.